The Facts
I didn't have an easy time booking at the Mandarin Oriental Ananda (Tehri Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh; 91-1378/27500, fax 91-1378/27550; www.anandaspa.com; doubles from $300; breakfast and treatments are extra). E-mails and faxes to Ananda went unanswered. When I called Mandarin Oriental Hotels (800/526-6566), I was assured that the hotel would be connected to its reservations network by October. However, as of press time in November, Ananda still couldn't be booked through Mandarin's toll-free number.
Our Personal Guest (212/319-1354, fax 212/319-4526; e-mail nyoffice@ourpersonalguide.com), India's travel specialist to the rich and famous, came to my rescue. Expect to spend upwards of $1,000 a day on hotel, food, transfers, and guides. Other travel planners include Lisa Lindblad Travel Design (212/876-2554, fax 212/722-2797; mara2795@aol.com) and Shagun Mohan (91-11/684-1598, fax 91-11/619-5553; shagunmohan7@yahoo.com).
